When I say “engaged”, are you engaged as in focused and connected with others? Or are you engaged as in busy, behind locked doors, not available?

Being available? Is that not touchy-feely stuff?

The hard facts are that Gallup has just analysed 25 million responses to their employee engagement survey and found:

“Of the 100 million people in America who hold full-time jobs, 30% are engaged and inspired at work, so we can assume they have a great boss.

At the other end of the spectrum are roughly 20 million (20%) employees who are actively disengaged. These employees, who have bosses from hell that make them miserable, roam the halls spreading discontent.

The other 50% of American workers are not engaged. They’re just kind of present, but not inspired by their work or their managers.”

See what happened there? It’s not about employee engagement it’s about leaders

Whenever I run a leadership program, I ask participants to list what they consider to be the essential traits of effective leadership. Along with “being trusted”, there are always those old clichés of “having vision”, or worse “charisma”.

Don’t get me wrong. Charisma is a wonderful trait, but it’s what I would term decorative. It’s a nice to have, alongside a great smile and a welcoming handshake.

Time management is not decorative. Or optional. It is the very foundation of effective leadership.